GK Quiz on Suez Canal

The Suez Canal is one of the greatest achievements in engineering history. Connecting Europe and Asia, the canal has been an integral part of maritime navigation since its opening in 1869. Learn some interesting facts about the history of this waterway in this quiz.

Suez Canal Quiz

What year was the Suez Canal officially opened? 

a) 1859
b) 1869
c) 1889
d) 1909

2. Which two bodies of water does the Suez Canal connect? 

a) Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
b) Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean
c) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
d) Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf

3. Who was the chief engineer behind the construction of the Suez Canal?

a) Ferdinand de Lesseps
b) Isambard Kingdom Brunel
c) Gustave Eiffel
d) Thomas Telford

4. Which country controls the Suez Canal? 

a) Sudan
b) Egypt
c) Saudi Arabia
d) Libya

5. What was a significant event that caused the Suez Canal to be blocked in March 2021? 

a) Earthquake
b) Military blockade
c) Ship grounding
d) Natural disaster

6. How long is the Suez Canal? 

a) About 100 miles
b) About 120 miles
c) About 150 miles
d) About 200 miles

7. Which company operates the Suez Canal Authority?

a) Suez Canal Authority
b) Suez Maritime Company
c) Egyptian Canal Corporation
d) None of the above

8. What is the primary purpose of the Suez Canal? 

a) Military transportation
b) Fishing industry
c) Commercial shipping
d) Tourism

9. What major geopolitical event in 1956 was centred around the Suez Canal? 

a) The Cuban Missile Crisis
b) The Suez Crisis
c) The Six-Day War
d) The Yom Kippur War

10. Which ancient civilization is known to have first attempted to construct a canal connecting the Nile River to the Red Sea? 

a) Romans
b) Egyptians
c) Persians
d) Greeks

11. What is the width of the Suez Canal at its narrowest point? 

a) 150 meters
b) 200 meters
c) 300 meters
d) 400 meters

12. Which notable ship famously blocked the Suez Canal in March 2021?

a) MSC Francesca
b) Ever Given
c) Maersk Alabama
d) Cosco Shipping Panama

13.  How many ships pass through the Suez Canal daily on average? 

a) 50
b) 100
c) 150
d) 200

14. What was the primary reason for the construction of the Suez Canal?

a) Military Access
b) Trade efficiency
c) Tourism development
d) Oil transport

15. What major economic effect does the Suez Canal have on global shipping?

a) Reduces shipping times
b) Increases shipping costs
c) Limits trade routes
d) Enhances piracy risk

16. What was the original length of the Suez Canal before its expansion in 2015?

a) 120 miles
b) 100 miles
c) 90 miles
d) 80 miles

Answers

1. b) 1869
2. a) Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea
3. a) Ferdinand de Lesseps
4. b) Egypt
5. c) Ship grounding
6. b) About 120 miles
7. a) Suez Canal Authority
8. c) Commercial shipping
9. b) The Suez Crisis
10. b) Egyptians
11. b) 200 meters
12. b) Ever Given
13. b) 100
14. b) Trade efficiency
15. a) Reduces shipping times
16. a) 120 miles

It adds much to our knowledge about the dynamics of global trade when one understands the history and importance of the Suez Canal. From its construction to modern-day challenges, such as blockages and geopolitical events, the canal remains an important artery for international shipping. The quiz reminds me of the impacts it has had on the world economy.